| "Theme of the Traitor and the Hero" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Short story by Jorge Luis Borges | |||
| Original title | Tema del traidor y del héroe | ||
| Country | Argentina | ||
| Language | Spanish | ||
| Genre(s) | Mystery, short story | ||
| Publication | |||
| Published in | Sur | ||
| Media type | |||
| Publication date | February 1944 | ||
| Chronology | |||
| |||
"Theme of the Traitor and the Hero" (original Spanish title: "Tema del traidor y del héroe") is a short story by the Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges, originally published in 1944 in number 112 of the review Sur.
Plot
The Traitor and the Hero by Jorge Luis Borges is a complex and intriguing short story that revolves around the investigation of a historical event in Ireland. The story follows an unnamed protagonist who delves into the life and death of his ancestor, Fergus Kilpatrick, a hero of the Irish resistance movement. The protagonist begins by recounting the prevailing historical narrative, which claims that Fergus Kilpatrick was murdered by his own brother, Thadeus Kilpatrick, who was believed to be a traitor. However, the protagonist becomes skeptical of this account and embarks on a quest to uncover the truth. Through his investigation, the protagonist examines various historical documents, interviews witnesses, and consults different sources. He discovers conflicting accounts of the events surrounding Fergus' death, leading him to question the veracity of the established historical narrative. As the protagonist digs deeper, he encounters a diverse range of perspectives and interpretations. He learns about a secret society known as the Fenians, who believed that Fergus was a hero and that his brother Thadeus was the true traitor. This alternative version of history challenges the commonly accepted narrative. Ultimately, the protagonist becomes entangled in a web of historical manipulation and conflicting accounts. He realizes that the truth may be elusive and that historical events can be shaped and distorted by those in power. The Traitor and the Hero explores themes of historical subjectivity, the malleability of truth, and the construction of narratives. Through Borges' intricate storytelling, the reader is invited to reflect on the nature of history, the complexities of human perception, and the ways in which historical events can be manipulated and distorted.
Literary and philosophical references
In addition to the plays Julius Caesar and Macbeth, with often heavy irony Borges links his story to many predecessors. Among them are:
- Moses, who preceded Kilpatrick as a leader who saw the promised land of freedom for his people but had to die before it was reached.
- Hesiod, Vico and Spengler, who saw human history not as linear progress but as a spiral of descent.
- Caesar, who saw the British Isles under the grip of obscurantist druids.
- Leibniz, who saw the cosmos as an ultimate harmony.
- Lincoln, who followed Kilpatrick in becoming a national hero murdered in a theatre.
- Browning and Hugo, who in their works celebrated perceived nationalist heroes.
- Chesterton, who like Borges enjoyed creating involuted but symmetrical mysteries.
Film adaptation
In 1970 the story was adapted into an Italian film called Strategia del ragno (The Spider's Stratagem), directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. In this version, the conspirators had planned to blow up the Duce Mussolini in 1936 during a performance of Rigoletto.
Sources
- Borges, Jorge Luis. Theme of the Traitor and the Hero.
- Pugh, Adam. "Order Versus Chaos: Comparing the literary essences of Isaac Asimov and Jorge Luis Borges". Archived from the original on December 29, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-15.
- Allen B. Ruch. "Borges - Film: The Spider's Strategy".